645 Howe Street, Vancouver, Canada | (888) 635-3814
Prime location in upscale neighborhood
Steps away from Pacific Centre Mall and waterfront
On-site squash court and putting green
Cityscape views from bikes in well-equipped fitness center
Great view of downtown from indoor pool and whirlpool
Large conference, banquet, and meeting space for events and presentations
Free morning rides to downtown destinations in hotel Jaguar
Scrumptious, creative culinary and drink concoctions at Diva restaurant
On-site parking garage
Free Wi-Fi in rooms and throughout hotel
Street noise can be heard in some rooms
No on-site spa
The service bonuses are delightful at the Metropolitan Hotel, from turndown service to free newspapers to morning limo rides in the hotel’s Jaguar. It doesn’t hurt that the two resident restaurants offer delicious and varied dishes (upscale Chinese; creative continental), and that the waterfront and downtown mall are within a five-minute walk. It might not be as shiny as the Four Seasons across the street, but the Met is a great upscale value for the neighborhood, especially for adult guests of the touring or business variety.
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Scene
Classic urban sophistication with flashy touches
Although dwarfed by surrounding high-rises, the Met exudes classiness from the moment guests step through its small, illuminated canopy entrance. Although the reception desk is narrow, the fresh flowers on the shiny ebony table, gold art installation, and large spiral staircase give the room a big presence -- there is no real seating area in the lobby, however. Diva restaurant and bar -- with its vaulted ceiling, delicate hanging lights, three dimensional wheel walls, and oversized oil paintings -- is artistic and elegant all at once.
Location
Near downtown financial district, with access to shopping and culture
The Met sits on a block with other luxury hotels, across the street from the Pacific Center Mall (Vancouver’s largest), and within a few minutes' walk of the financial district. There are restaurants within walking distance, as well as culture nearby: Vancouver Art Gallery is just around the block, and Queen Elizabeth Theatre is up the street. The lovely Stanley Park is about a 15 minutes' walk away, and the hotel is a five-minute walk from the waterfront. From the bus station, two minutes down the street, Vancouver International Airport is about 30 minutes away.
Rooms
Spacious and bright with oak and marble finishes
The Met has nearly 200 guest rooms, including 16 large suites. Features include down duvets and Italian linens, oak furniture, and state-of-the-art flat-screen TVs. Each room has an enormous window that opens for fresh air (and sometimes noise from busy Howe St.). Suites are huge, with spacious living rooms; some with kitchenettes. The Tai Pai Suite is a two-floor apartment with spiral staircase, grand piano, dining room with glass table, and huge patio with barbecue. All rooms have spacious bathrooms with marble floor-to-ceiling tile, dual sinks, luxury toiletries, and separate tubs and showers (with powerful jet spray). There is free Wi-Fi, and turndown service.
Features
Pool, two restaurants, squash court, and Jaguar rides
The Jaguar rides -- free in the morning to downtown locations -- definitely set the Met apart from nearby luxury hotels, as does its on-site squash court and putting green. Diva at the Met was once among the city’s most famous haunts, and is being revived under a new chef -- offering creative international cuisine, from rib-eye to beetroot salad. A second restaurant, Luckee by Sensur Lee, serves upscale Chinese cuisine. There is a fitness area with views, a lovely indoor pool with lots of windows, and a whirlpool. For business travelers, there are conference and meeting rooms, a business center, and free Wi-Fi everywhere. Same-day laundry services, along with 24-hour concierge and room service, are convenient. There is a paid parking garage under the hotel.
